. . .The new executive order affects only future contracts, not existing ones, and would only apply to contract renewals if other terms of the agreement changed. As a result, the order would benefit far fewer workers than the number foreseen by advocates of federal contract employees.

In December, Reps. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., and Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., co-chairmen of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, wrote the president urging him to take the “bold step” of signing an executive order to increase wages for federal contractors,GovExec.com reported.

At the time, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney issued a lukewarm response when asked about the lawmakers’ request, according to the report. . .